Preparing to buy first truck and need advice!

First and foremost, i'll thank everyone upfront for their information, opinions and input!

Here is the short story:

A friend and I are looking to start a small truck company together. We want to buy three trucks and three trailers. I want to be honest...i don't know a single thing about trucks. Complete greenhorn, newbie, whatever you want to call me. BUT i am willing to learn! I am more of a businessman, my partner is more of a trucker. But doing some research for myself never hurts, right?

So, my question - What is a good starting truck that can offer decent milage, is easily maintained and reliable. Excess repair costs will kill me if the pile up on the front end of this venture.

my budget:
Max of 38k per truck
max of 18k per trailer (45' flat bed minimum length!)

My consideration:

2006 - 2008 Freightliner Columbia or Century with no more than 500k miles - good maint. history, manual transmission, good tires etc.
Peterbuilt 387 - some variation in motor but NO cat C13 - 13 speed - 600k miles or below - 3:55 - good maintenance history.


Anyone have input on those trucks or suggestions of better considerations?

EDIT: Anyone interested in the homework i have done or considerations i have/haven't made about launching a business please read entire thread. It contains a lot of information about the homework i have done

 

I have found that a 2006 - 2009 Peterbuilt 387 with good milage, good maintenance record and good/excellent operating condition seems to be in my price range.

Would this peterbuilt be preferable to the freightliner?

I am hoping that because i am buying three trucks at once that a dealer somewhere will be willing to do some serious price negotiations. Really hoping to cap truck costs at 35k including TTL and all other associated fees. but 38 is absolute max

 

I admit i have no knowledge on this industry. However, i understand business. And that is the only aspect of this venture I will handle. My partner has been driving for almost a decade now. I rely on him for information relevant to the industry.

I am asking questions here because i want additional opinions. I personally think there is ample opportunity in this industry. With proper planning and management, i am confident a trucking company will be profitable.

If trucking didn't have profit potential...well no one here would be a trucker, no one here would have such a passion for their industry. This forum probably wouldn't exist if trucking was such a horrible opportunity.

If anyone with experience is willing to look at my cost/profit projections, a short overview of my business plan, growth projection, vision statement and an executive summary, I would be extremely thankful.

 

idahologhauler - Thanks for that information. Because our initial plan is to focus on OTR, i am strongly considering starting with freightliner trucks. However, i also am considering peterbuilt 387 trucks. I like pete's because all research shows they hold resale value and are more preferred by drivers. And one key goal is keeping my drivers happy! hah!